Honda killing the motorcycle??

[Serk]

Ironically, as the "Manual 'till I die" guy, I have owned (Via the spousal unit, but both times I rode it far more than she did) two Honda Silverwings...

I guess I didn't/don't consider it a "real" motorcycle even though you can tour on one, and it could do 120 even with my rather substantial carcass on board.

Both times we had one I often found myself choosing it for quick jaunts around town, it's just so quick and easy to ride, nimble and simple...

Honestly wouldn't mind having one again but probably wouldn't go out of my way to acquire one, unless the spousal unit so desires of course.

[Big Rig]

I will say this about the DCT...Just back from a ride to Daytona...good riding buddy of mine has been thru at least 6 bikes in the past 12 years...multiple harleys, just sold his BMW 1600 and purchased a 2018 DCT wing...I will tell you with my 99 IS I would smoke him on everything and making equal time against his BMW...but the wing, he walks away from me...He was a HUGE nay sayer against the DCT...He says he does not see himself going back to manual transmissions on a bike...

I do think with all the e-bikes currently out and about it will expose younger riders to the experience and in time will make that jump to larger bikes. DCT will allow for an easier transition and I think that is what mother Honda is leaning towards.

IMHO....

[Hook#3287]

I will say this about the DCT...Just back from a ride to Daytona...good riding buddy of mine has been thru at least 6 bikes in the past 12 years...multiple harleys, just sold his BMW 1600 and purchased a 2018 DCT wing...I will tell you with my 99 IS I would smoke him on everything and making equal time against his BMW...but the wing, he walks away from me...He was a HUGE nay sayer against the DCT...He says he does not see himself going back to manual transmissions on a bike...

I do think with all the e-bikes currently out and about it will expose younger riders to the experience and in time will make that jump to larger bikes. DCT will allow for an easier transition and I think that is what mother Honda is leaning towards.

IMHO....

Agreed, I feel the interest in large capacity motorcycles has waned some due to the total loss of direction of the younger generation.

But the proliferation of small bikes, e-bikes and scooters will eventually reignite interest in larger bikes, because almost everyone wants bigger and faster.

It's that human nature thing.

Imho 

[luftkoph]

After all, they are in the business of selling motorcycles.

Are they though? Sure "feels" like Honda is winding down their motorcycle business.... Our local Honda shops are almost entirely ATVs, jet ski's and side by sides now, with only a handful of motorcycles almost as an afterthought...

Hope I'm wrong on this...

Honda sells around 20 million bikes every year worldwide I doubt they are going any where soon.

[Serk]

After all, they are in the business of selling motorcycles.

Are they though? Sure "feels" like Honda is winding down their motorcycle business.... Our local Honda shops are almost entirely ATVs, jet ski's and side by sides now, with only a handful of motorcycles almost as an afterthought...

Hope I'm wrong on this...

Honda sells around 20 million bikes every year worldwide I doubt they are going any where soon.

Globally, yes.... But the US market (And Europe, to a lesser extent), and the kinds of bikes we like here (Larger ones for fun, not smaller ones for daily transportation.)

I got curious, so did a little digging:

For the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (FY2025), Honda global motorcycle unit sales are expected to reach 20.2 million units, which is approximately a 40% share of global motorcycle sales*1. The Asian market, including India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, accounts for 85% of global unit sales (17.17 million units), and Japan, Europe and the U.S. markets account for 6% (1.2 million units). In calendar year 2024, Honda motorcycle sales set an all-time record in 37 countries and territories.   


So The USA, Japan and Europe combined are only 6% of Honda's motorcycle business.

Source: https://global.honda/en/newsroom/news/2025/2250128eng.html